Bag-stringing machine.



No. 862,057. PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

' J. T. DALTON.

BAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLI ATION FILED EU e 0e.

0 H1 19 1s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. T. DALTON.

BAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16, 1908.

PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 862,057. PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

' J. T. DALTON. BAG STRINGING MAGHINE.

PPLIOATION FILED JULY16, 1906. v A 13 SHEETS-SHEBT 3.

No. 862,057. PATENTED JULY 30, 1907. J. T. DALTON.

BAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY16.1906.

l3 SHEETS-SHEET 6 r 421 I (90 I 91 -94 m7 9 v v 2% f}? v Q94 9.? 71% 6,6 as f) 172%?) or I W 95% ZTJaZ-Zam.

M/a W z No. 862,057. I PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

' J. T. DALTON.

BAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY16. 1906.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

1/ Rummy, "iium'w 75%zewmw I fiwezzfmf W WX/M No. 862,057. PATENTED JULY 30, 1907. J. T. DALTON.

BAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16. 1906.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

No. 862,057. PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

J. T. DALTON.

BAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1s. 1906.

13 SHEETSSHEET,9.

No. 862,057. PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

J. T. DALTON. BAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY16. 1906.

13 SHEETSSHEET l0.

W WZ:

No. 862,057. PATENTED JULY so, 1907.

J. T. DALTON. BAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULYIB. 1906.

.13 SHEETS-SHEET ll.

No 862,057. PATBNTED JULY 30, 1907. J. T. DALTON. BAG STRiNGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULYIB. 1906.

13 SHEETS-SHEET l2.

PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

J. T. DALTON. BAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION Eli-ED JULY 16. 1906.

I 13 SHEETS-SHEET 13.

i E i i .1 a i -l W '1 i I l 1 l I 609 g i W 50 guides; Fig. 11 is a sectiiinal plan. of the twopairs of needle guides; Figs. 12 .and 13 are horizontal sections the opening -3 transversely-extending openings 4, '5 a yd m ly e t dingj pening 6 terminating NITED STATES PATENT. oF IoE.

JOHN T. 'DALTON, OF VIRGILlNA, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO OROWELL, OF VIRGILINA, VIRGINIA. 1

WALTER ii.

, BAG-STRINGING mncnmn.

Specification of Letters Patent. 7

Patented July 30, 1907.

Application filed July 16,1906. Serial No. 326,416.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN T. DALTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Virgilina, in the county of Halifax and State ofVirginia, have invented new and useful Improvements inBag-Stringing Machines, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to bag-stringing machines, and the object thereof is to provide a machine of such class for inserting in a bag at the month end thereof, a pair of strings extending in an opposite direction with respect to each other, and which are adapted when pulled in opposite directions, with respect to each other, to cause the closing ofthe mouth'of the bag.

The machine is particularly adapted for use in connection with the stringing at the month end thereof, ofthe form of fabric-tobacco bag now in general use, although the machine can be used for any form of bag for which it inay be foundapplicable.

The invention further aims to provide a machine of the class referred to which will be automatic and accurate in its action, strong, durable efiicient in its use,

, having the various mechanisms thereof adjustable,

which will permit in.a convenient manner the removal of an injured element without taking apart the entire machine, and comparatively inexpensive to changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended. v

In describing the invention in detail, reference is had to the accompanying drawings,- wherein like reference-characters denote" corresponding parts throughout the several views, andin which:

chine in accordance with this invention, the supporting frame belng. broken away; Fig.2 is a top'plam view thereof; Fig 3 is a horizontal section on line 3 3, Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a like viewon line .4-4, Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is. a longitudinal sectionat the center of the machine, various parts being broken away; Figs. 6

and 8 are details of apart of the-operating means for the bag-strippers; Fight) is a perspective view of one pair of the needle guideaand the shifting means therefor; Fig..10 isa-sec tional f-detail of one of theneedle of the combined; thread guide and thread and needlej holder; Fig: 14 atop planviewthereof; Fig. 15 is Figure 1.is aside elevation ,of a bag-stringing maface view of the combined cam and mutilated gear; Figs. 16, 17, 18 and 19 are details; Fig. 20 is aside View, showing the means for reciprocating the needle; Fig. 21 is a side elevation of one of the knotter mechanisms; Fig. 22 is a. section of the knotter mechanism;

the knotter'mechanism; Figs. 32, 33, and 34 are views of the needle; Figs. 35, 36, 37, 38. and 39 are views' illustrating the various steps during the operation of inserting the string at the mouth of the bag; Figs. 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 are views illustratingt-he operation of tying the knot; Fig..45 is a view of one endof the bag, showing the position of the strings; Fig. 46 is aside elevation showing the arrangement of the strippers with respect to the bag; Fig. 47 shows one form of bag for which the machine can be used; Figs. 48, 49 and 50 illustrate the bag-turning and stretching device.

'l'oopers, a pair of thread knotters, operating means therefor; a pair of thread cutters, operating means therefor; bag strippers, operating means therefor; a com bined bag-turner and stretcher, operating meanstherefor; and a bag sweep.

The mechanisms referred to in the foregoing paragraph are so set up in relation to each other and operated at such time that when a bag is positioned so that the mouth end thereof is in the path of the needles, there will be inserted in that end of the bag so as to constitute after the operation of the knotter mechanism a pair of strifigs' extending in an opposite direction with respect to each other, and which are adapted when pulled in an opposite direction with respectfto each other. ,to cause the closing of the mouth of the bag. After the knotter mechanism has operated upon the thread and the strings formed, the bag is turned,- stretched and swept from the machine.

Referring to thedrawings' by reference characters, the machine comprises a frame 1 having a top 2 formed of a rectangular plate; .Approxhnat e1ycentrallyof, ,the plate"2, a'transversely-extending enlarged opening 3 is provided which permits of the operation ofthe bagholding member and certain other elements of the ma;

chine, to behereinafter referred to. At each side tf';

in a laterally-extending opening 7, are provided The openings 4 permit of the shifting of the knotters, to be hereinafter referred to, the openings 5, 7 permit of the shifting of the needles transversely of the machine frame and the openings 6 allows of the needles being reciprocated. r

Journaled in one end of the frame is the operating shaft 8 which is suitably connected with a prime mover, not shown, and carries a pinion 9 which meshes with a gear lO arranged above the pinion 9, and further meshes with agear 11 arranged below the pinion 9. .Through the medium of the pinion 9 and gear 10, the mechanisms bag-holding element, the mechanisms for inserting one string are positioned; and at the other side of the said member, the mechanisms for insertingthe other string are positioned. For the operation of certain mechanisms at one side of the bag-holding member, a combined cam and mutilatedgear-wheel 12 is provided,

this wheel 12 to be hereinafter more specifically referred to; and for the operation of certain of the mech anisms at the other side of the bag-holding member, a

combined cam and mutilated gear-wheel 13 is provided. The wheel 13 will be hereinafter more specifically referred to. The wheel 12 is mounted near the inner end of a drive shaft 14 and the wheel 13 is mounted near the inner end of a drive shaft 15. The drive shaft 14 is journaled in the lower portion of the Y- shaped hanger 16-forming a part of the machine frame and in one end of the machine frame, and the said shaft 14 carries on its outer end the gear 10; The drive shaft 15 is journaled in the lower portion of the Y-shaped hanger forming part of the machine frame and in that end of the machine frame opposite to that in which the shaft 14 is journaled. 'The shaft 15 carries on its. outer end a gear wheel 22 which meshes with agear-wheel 23 carried on one end of the transmission shaft 24. The opposite end ofthe shaft 24 has fixed thereto, the gear 11. From the foregoing construction, it is evident that when the shaft 8 is operated, the shafts 14, 15 will be drivenin an opposite direction with respect to each other; consequently imparting movement to the corm bined cam and mutilated gear wheels 12, 13.

' The bag-holding member; Figs. 2, 3,4 and 5; The

function of this member is to receive the bag from the operator, and then position the bag,w'ith the monthend thereof in the path of the needles so that the threads can be inserted to form the strings. When the bag is mounted upon the member, it is inside-out, and

after the strings have been inserted, the bag is removed from the holding member; andduring such. removal, it is turned rightside-out and stretched by the be-hereinafter referred to. The bag' when removed from-the holder and turned rightside-out, has its cor:

ners tucked in, as illustrated in Fig. 49. Thisis the usual arrangement of tobacco bag before it is filled, as

the tucked-in corners of the bag prevent, after the bag is filled, sharp corners. The bag-holding member comprises an intermittently-operable shaft 25 which is journaled in the bearings 26 mounted in the upper end of the hanger brackets 27. These brackets are fixed at their lower ends, as at 28, to the plate 2, and are of such length that they terminate at a point centrally of the plate 2. The shaft 25 is shouldered, as at 29, and the said shoulders 29 abut against the bearings 26, and one end ofsaid shaft 25 projects from one of the brackets 28 and carries a ratchet 30 adapted to be engaged by adog 31 carried by a lever-arm 32, which is loosely connected at its upper end to the shaft 25 andextends down through the slot 32 in the plate 2, and at its lower end pivotally copnected, as at 33, to a link 34 attached to'a rock-shaft 35. v The latter is journaled in the rearwardly-extending arms of the Y-shaped hangers 16 and 19. Adjustably mounted upon the shaft 25 is a pair of circular 'disks 36, 37, each provided with a collar 38 through which extends a set-screw 39 for adjustably connecting the disks to the shaft 25. Secured to the outer face of the disk 37 is a plurality of radially-extending curved holding arms 40 substantially U-shaped in cross section and carrying at the outer end friction rollers 41. The holding arms 40' near their lower ends are provided on their side faces with shoulders 42 constituting a means to indicate to the-operator that the bag has been set in proper position when the bag is mounted upon the holding member. The holding arms 40 are pivoted, asat 43, to the angle plates 44,

these plates 44 being secured by suitable holdfast devices to the outer face of the disks 37, thereby connect ing the holding arms 40 with the disks '37 Projecting laterally from the lower portion of each of the arms 40 and forming a part of each of the arms 40 is a cuff 45 through which extends a g'ripper 46. The gripper 46 'is substantially (I-shaped in cross-section. and is pivoted, as at 47, to the cuff 45; and the said gripper 46 is positioned in parallelism with respect to the lower portion of its respective holding arm 40 and is of such length as not to project below the inner end of itsreispective holding arm 40. The function of pivoting the arm 40 is to enable the proper tension to be placed upon the bag when the thread is to be inserted there- "through, means being provided to rock the-arm 40 upon its pivot. This meanswill be hereinafter'referred to,

and, as before stated, it is termed the tension device for the bag. The'function of the grippers 46 is to retain the'bags uponthe holding member during the stringing operation, andto furthermore act as a guide for the strippers. This will' be more fully explained hereinafter. Secured to the outer face of the disk 36 is! a plurality of radially-extending curved holding arms 48 which are substantially ll-shaped in crosssection and carry. on their outer ends, the friction r'ollera 49'. There is an arm 48 positioned in parallelism with an arm 40, and upon each pair of parallel arms a bag is placed, as indicated in Figs. 5. The bag is indicated by the reference character 50. Each of the arms 48 is fixed atits lower end by suitable holdfast devices to the disks36, and projecting laterally from the arm 48, as well asforming an'integral part thereof at its Tower end, is 2. end 51 in whichis"pivotally connected, as at 52, a gripper 53 which is substantially U- shaped memes-section.- It will be obvious, however,

that the construction and arrangement of theholding I" The function of each pair of needle guides is the same.

arms 48 and grippers. 53 may be the same as the holding arms 40 and the grippers 46. The fixing 0fthe arms 48 at their lower ends is had owing to the fact that but one bag-tensioning device is employed, and this device is .adapted to engage the arms 40 so that tension can be applied to the bag; but a pair of bag-tensioning devices can be-employed; if employed, the arms 48 and grippers 53 would be of the same construction as the arms 40 and grippers 46. The arms 48 are provided with shoulders for the same purpose as the shoulders 42. A releasing means is providedfor the grippers 46 and 53, and said means consists of a pair of arms 54 having beveled ends, and the function of said arms is to engage the lower end of the grippers 46, 53 when the grippers extend upwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, so that thebag can be readily mounted upon a pair of holding arms,by the operator. When the bag is mounted upon a pair of holding arms, it is slipped down over them until the edge thereof contacts with the shoulders 42. As the shoulders 42 set off from the arms 40, 48, it is evident that the operator can readily feel when the bag has been positioned properly. The grippers 46, 53 come into play to hold the bag, and act as a means to guide the strippers, to be hereinafter referred to, when the pair of arms upon the bag is mounted to depend downwardly, as shown in Fig. 5. When the holding arms upon which the bag is mounted are at the position shown in Fig. 5, the supporting means for the two pairs of thread-guides act upon the grippers so as to move them to the position shown. The function of the rollers 41, 49 is tofacilitate the turning of the bag rightside-out, and to assist in the readyremovalpf the bag'from the arms by the strippers. a

Tenst'omlng device for the bag tholding member; Figs. 2, 3, and 4: The function of this devi'ceis to stretch the bag at the mouth-end thereof so that the necessary tension will be applied to the bag to prevent the slipping outwardly of the needles during the reciprocation thereof when inserting the thread through -the end of the bag to form the strings. This device is adapted to engage the pivoted holding arms 40 of the holding in ember, shift the said arms outwardly on their pivots, thereby stretching the bag properly at its mouth-end and retaining the bag under tension until the two strings have been formed. The said device consists of a shiftable curved arm 55 extending transversely of the machine, arranged above the plate 2 and projecting towards the arms 40. The curved arm 55 is of such length that when it is shifted, it will engage one of the arms 40 and move the said arm upon its pivot, thereby stretching the bag. The arm 55 at its outer end straddles the plate 2, as at 56, and is pivotally connected to the said plate 2, as at 57. The arm 55 then depends downwardly, as at 58, and is provided on one face near itsit lower end with a cam-piece 59 which lies in the path of a shifting means for the arm 55, to be hereinafter re-,

ferred to, said means being so constructed that the arm 55 will be shifted towards one of the arms 40 to stretch the bag, and after the strings have been formed, said arm 55 is shifted in an opposite direction, thereby releasing the arm 40 so the bag can'be readily removed.

The needle guides;- Figs. 4, 9, 10 and 11: The function of the needle guides is to guidethe needles to each side of the bag. Two pairs of needle guidesare employed.

' dles.

That is to say, each pair of needle guides is adapted to guide a needle to each-side of the bag so that the needle receive the thread. The pairs of needle guides associates with a pair of holding arms when said pair of arms assumes the depending position shown in Fig. 5. As the construction and arrangement of each pair of needle guides are the same but one pair of needle guides will be described, the same reference characters being applied to both pair. One pair of needle guides opposes the other pair .of needle guides, and the pairs of needle guides are arranged at opposite sides of the transversely-extending opening 3. Each pair of needle guides consists of a shiftable support 60 having one end bent at an angle, as at 61, which rests upon the plate 2.

At a point removed fromthe angularly-turned end 61 of the support 60, a notch 62 is provided to permitof the entrance of a gripper 46 or 53, as the case may be,

as shown in Fig. 11; and the said grippers when in such position, assist, as will be evident, in guiding the nee- Mounted upon the support 60 at each side of the notch 62 are the blocks 63, 64, each having-a recess 65, the recess 65 of the block 63 opposing the recess 65 of the block 64. Shiftably mounted in each of the recesses '65 is a guide-block 66 having its outer end provided with a guide channel 67 which at one end is somewhat flaring. Each of the guide-blocks 66 terminates into a shank 68 playing into a socket--69 formed in its respective block, and attached to the shank 68 is a stem 70 which extends through its respective block and is connected thereto by a nut 71. Mounted in the socket 70 is a coiled spring 72 bearing at one end against the shank 68 and at its other end against the wall of the socket 69. When the pair of needle guides is in operative position, one of the grippers 52 or 46, as the case may be, extends between the guide-blocks 66 and forms what may be termed a wall for the guide channels 67. The blocks 63, 64 are secured to the support 60 by the holdfast devices 73.. As will be evident by reference to Fig. 9, th.e blocks 63, 64 are arranged at one end of the support 60, but are positioned slightly removed from the notch 62. To the other end of the support 60 is secured by the holdfast devices 74 a pair of slidable retaining arms 75 which extend longitudinally of the upper face of the plate 2 and are retained upon the plate 2 by thekeepers 76. Connected to the support 60 at a point intermediate the points of connectidn between the arms 75 is a depending fork 77 "se- .cured in position by the holdfast devices 78, and which is adapted to be engaged by the shifting mechanism, to be hereinafter referred to so as to shift the pair of needle guides longitudinally of the machine when occasion requires; The needle-guides are shifted so as to permit of the rotating of the bag-holding member, and also to'permit of the support 60 straddling the grippers, and furthermore to allow said support to bear against the grippers so as to move the grippers on their pivots and bite the bag. The support 60 and the pair of grippers also acts asa means to prevent movement being imparted to the bag-holding member during the operation of insertingthe thread. This is evident as the I notch 62 surrounding the gripperwill prevent any sidewise incitement of the b'ag-holdiiig memh'er. J The heir of needleguides is shifted through the medium of hf v sector-shaped arm 79 having it-portion of its length will be d'e'scjiibed', the same reference characters being an'gnlarly disposed with respect to the remaining poi tion, as at 80ffort'ni'ng' an incliiietermihating at ee'ch end in a. straight portion. Thefork 77 ie'edepted to straddle the sector-shaped a'nn 79 and is "ttdgpted to be engaged by the incline so that saidfork 77 -willv:be shifted iii one direction or the other accoidihgto the direction oimoveihent oith'e *ait'ns 79, mid it will be evident that when the ioik ms shifted, it will cerrji snppoi't 60 therewith end mov the elements cbnnect'ed to said support towards or 'ir'oih lt he openihg .3, asthe case may be. 1 The hector-shaped arm 79 has one end free audits other ehd termihatihg' in the oiiter end of e lever 81 whi'eh. is fixed intermedi te its ends pen the;

shaft 35, ahd'liasits other end eehttee ed'bye ve ti eeilymovable link 82 (Fig'. 4 with the' e -tumer', vte be- I hereiheiterv refei-i ed to. The-lever 31 hot t ny consti- 2'6 oseillatory iiiovemeht to the teeter-shaped 79, but

tiites a means, when the lihl'gSZ is operated, to impart iii als'dacts as tt iiiean's of shitting the ba'g tenjsioiiihg (le vice fofm'ed by the c iived arm 55. The'outereiidof the lever 81 when it rocks in ohe direction, i ae teti to engage the oath-piece 59 oh the depending end of the curved arn'i 55, thereb shifting 's'ziid eu'rvedttrm hi he direetioh; tndohthe opposite movement of iever' 81 it is eae tett to enga e ttid earn 59 S0 at to shift the min toitsnorinal1iosltioh. Titer recipioc'dthfy' and "tmnstete'ttyehmabte needles;

Figs; 82, 33 and 34: Two needles ale'employe'd; owing to the iac't that-two strings are iiiserted; thetteedlee'teeip 1 extendingyoke shaped projection I03 to which is piv rocayte in eneppe'eite ,di eetioh wi reepeette eeeh' other, but both operate npoii thehege the Seine time; While one needle is ptt'seiiigthreugh dne side at the h'atg;

Y the other needle is petting thtehgh the oiirs sit side.

2 Both needles eventlially opetete upon both sides of the bag'biit in opposite'difectioiis', such opeiatioii beiiigl an alternate one. As the construction of both iedles is the sam bht one iieedl'e will be described, th same fefe'r'e'nfie c'hafacters being applied to both; O'fj course it will be evident that the shenk of the needle is of the desired length; and is indicated hy thei'efei'eiice chaiflctrhil; The 'point of the ileedle isihdieated by.

45 I 'speei shape; eh eye is provided, asa't sa e d uses one side of the point of the needle, e cut-awayportioft 86 is provided, forming thereby est-tenets? slightly --remsved from the e 84. The needle'ehit te side is thereftence charsLctefB, arid. is what may be tetined provided with a groove 851? A groove 88 idfqililed on thatside of the point whieh is ciit away, dhd the said groove eiitends is longitudinil tenement with tee' eet ti) the-eye. Gne side oi the needle i provided with a,

" groove 89, whioh extends from the ant-ewe? portion 86 along the hese, "and the ether the t the needle is pica vided witha. 'gioove' 90 which ex'teiids from a jio'int iiear the extreme ehd e: h heedle ehdehhtinues alohgthe v shank. e The grooves Bilfind 90 feceiVe th'e thifead dut ing he travel of the eediee' throti'gli the peg em. When the needles are set up for Ojiethtidii, they sire so secured iDi P'O'SltlOK I as to have thehut-ttwey p'hition ejiteiid 'at at slight inclination, as this has been foiiiid to obtttiii adhere satisfacteizy wor'liing. e r

Therectpmcaw combined thread-guide and ih'i'edd, and media holders; Figs. 52, 12, 13, 20 end 36 Two eombine i seeps? t,

thread-guide and thte e han edleheisete teem j plot ed. Both'constructio'ns arethe same, so only-one applied t6 both; The function of the combined'thiead support. The bars 93-, 94 the eonnectedto depending eiid in'einbers 95, and these end'membersfin. gofinee -f ee be shifted. ransver ly of the plate 2111 a miner as "1 plate 91 i's .;cerried therewith. The plate-QI-iproyided ieteie hii'thermoie pi-6vided it e t ve te teeetve' the ShiDkBilTOf thd needle; shperpeeed upon the plate:

tln' e d entends; the. op'ehinigsiii the estrs acting as j hr dide 'oi eperture'cl'ears lb'llis provided andtowhich'is pivo'ted; as at. 191, a. spring-pressed .clamping'hrm- 102,"

free eiidclsmp .or bite the threads between the two ears" roted ti swinging'pi'ece 104, whose fnncti'onis to'move the aifin 102 has its free end elevated owing to the tietionof plate 2,125 zit 106;;and-isprot7ided at its uppernd with en zihgulalextehsion107 projeetingin the hath of the u swinging 'pieee 104 so that when occasion requires; the T05 sitid extensioh' 107 v will engage the swiiiging piceitnd reek theaiin I02 oh its pivot and cause slid 102 to hite the thread; A stud 10s is fixed toth betsien is in the path of the swinging piece 104 so that when o'ca- 'sioh requi'rfes, said stud, will engage the swinging iiece 110 'ahd release the thread. The thiead is held tautby the arm 102 when being cut and the enh102 is released aite'i thejthrea'cl is cut, so the thread can be fed to the bag! The plates 97, 98 are, detachably secured to he plate 91by theholdiast device 109.; 1

T The 'rectpiocating and shifting means for; the needle-if -me n is to reeiprocate the heedle so as to insert the;

thfead through the bag,

it will be caused to pass thr'ough' the other That is to", say, :21 'n itiis for shifting each needle transvei'sely is provided so that diir'iiig'th'e rfecipi'ocationoitheneedles; j

at its other end by e ciirve'dlihltl1 2 to th iete 91.

1121 The shaft Ill operated bye gent-113 meshing j guide and "thread and needle holder is to'gnide the 'nally-extending' hars93, 94 of a transversely-shifteble tioh with'th'e' has 93;; 94, it m the transversely-shittv able s'njipofrt. The end niernhe 's 95' projeet l p thron'gh:- I l the epe ings's and f? of the lete'lz; e thttt said eup'pert :5 f v herein vset iorth. ,When said siipport isshifted", f the Y with fien 'eejse-teetihg'h en the bars 93,' 94:. em 1 Said .85

Ql'ls a. clafnpilng pie'e 97 andnpons'aid clanijiin'g piece v 9'7 istnonnted aplatelS bet ing at one end ah iipwardly-' V extending pair-of aperture'd ears 99', through "whichjthe v son the other end of the plate Qjseptht f which when' occasion-so requires, is sidttpted haveits 99. The pivoted end. oi the 1 02hajs a veitially-f 1 ttm 1 02 to position ,tobite e thread. e ttu the 1109;.

the spring. Ali him is hdjustahly connectedtothe;

Figs. 1, to 20; both inclusive; The function of said i and for shifting the needte so that efter'e needlhas passed throu h ,j

they will alternately pass thr'o'ng'h e needle giiide oi 'each 'pe'ii of guides; Said inesns consists Join crank" w arm 110, fixed at oneeitd to atshaft 1115 1111 eonnected The ci'aiik-ai'hi 116 is pivotally connected tothe link .wit ei gettne. T e g'eais'll3, 114mb ettg t ed in connects the lower end of the end member 95 with the end member96. The end member 96 is supported at its lower end upon one of the drive shafts 14 or 15, and

depending from the bracket 115 is a support 117 which is mounted upon one of the drive shafts 14 or 15. The lower end of the end members 96 and the lower ends of the supports 117 form bearings for the drive shafts 14 and 15, as will be evident. The gear" 114 is held from movement by a locking pawl 118 which is'pivoted to the end member 95 and is adapted to engage between the offsets 119 arranged below that portion' of the gear is attached to an eccentric 123 carried by arock-shaft.

124, the latter being journaled in the forwardly-extending portions of the Y-shaped hangers 16 and 19' and in the machine frame. The rock-shaft 124 is actuated so as to shift the support for the needle transversely through the medium of a depending arm 125 carried thereby and which is provided with a roller 126 adapted to be engaged and operated by a combined cam and gear-wheel, to be hereinafter referred to.

' The looper; Figs. 1 and 36: The function of the looper is to catch the thread after the needle has in serted'the thread through one side of the bag and is about to insert the thread through the other side ohthe bag. This as will be evident, will form a loop. The

looping of the thread is not only obtained by the looper but the said looperalso acts as a,means to tension the thread, and furthermore holds theloop during the knotting operation and still retains the loop until the bag is removed from the holding arms by the strippers.

In Fig. 36 the function of the looper is clearly shown, and said figure furthermore shows the needle about to enter-asecond time into the knotting mechanism. Two loopers are employed, but as the construction of both the loopers is the same, but one will be described, the same reference characters being applied to both. Each of the loopers consists of an inverted" V-shaped arm 127 pivoted at its upper end, as at 128, to a support 129 carried near one end of a longitudinally-extending bar 130', the latter being fixed atv .reciprocates to enter onefside of the. bag, and when i the needle is'shifted to enter the other side of the bag, the arm 130 will be positioned on the opposite side of the needle so that when the needle travels to enter the bag, the thread will be caught by a hook member,

' to be hereinafter referred to. Pivoted to the bar 130 near its outer end is a depending lever arm 132 which is connected to the arm 127 by a coupling member 132*, the latter being suitably attached, as at 133, to

the arm '127 and as atf'l34', to the upper end of the arm machine compresses.

- 132. The pivot of, the lever arm 132 is indicated by the reference character 135, and-the said lever-arm 132 carries upon its lower end a pivoted trip member.

136 which is connected to the bar 130 by the pulling spring'137 The hooked member is indicatedby the reference character 138 whichis loosely mounted in the diverging lower end of the arm 127 and is of such length as to extend from each side of the lower end of said arm 127. Mounted upon the member 138 and interposed between the diverging ends of the arm 127 is a compression spring 139. The spring 139 when the member 138 is pulled towards the 'center of the The hooked end of the member 138 is indicated by the reference character 140. The spring 137 tends to cause the looping mechanism to assume the position shown in Fig. 1, and from the arrangement, of the springs 13 7, 139, it is evident that the-pull o'flthe thread Will be against the pull of the spring 137, as Well as against the pull of the spring I 139; consequently a yielding pull is had, and in view of the location of the spring 137, 139, it will be evident that when the thread passes off the member 138, that said member 138 will be caused to assume its normal I position, and the said arms 127 and 132 will assume the position shown in Fig. 1 unless an abutmentis interposed to arrest the movement of the arm 127 to wards the bar 130. The abutment for arresting the movement of the arm 127 is indicated by the reference character 141, and the said abutment is provided with a yielding upper end, as at 142 (Fig. 20). The abutment 141 is in the form of an inverted L-shaped. 'bar, andis'secured upon the inner end of the bar 94. The abutment 141 is shifted with the support for the combined thread-guide and thread and needle-holder, and when shifted ispositioned in the path of the arm 127. The abutment 141 is positioned in the path of the arm 127 when the needle is first inserted in the bag, and when the support for the thread-guide and thread and needle-holder -is again shifted, the abutment'141 is moved out of the path of the arm 127, but at this time the thread has been taken up by the hook member 138, and the pull of the thread prevents the arm 127 moving back towards the bar130. The movement of the arm 127 towards the center of the machine is also assisted by a lug 143 (Fig. 36) secured lbs to the plate 91, in a manner as hereinafter referred to. p

Thelug 143 also acts as a means to actuate the trip .136 when the plate 91 moves away fromthe center of themachine. The yielding upper end of the abutment 141 assists, when occasion requires,.the arm 127 to move should it fail to move from the center of the machine, where it catches the thread which makes the loop. The yielding upper end 142 of the abutment 141 is beveled so that the movement just referred to can be had. The yielding upper end 142 of the abutment 141 consists of a short bar extending through the upper endof the vertical portion of the abutment and carriesa compression spring 144. The short bar is headed as at 145 and beveled asat 146*; see Fig. 14. The knoitcr; Figs. 3, 4, 5,- 21 to 30 and 35 to 44: The function of the knotter-is to catch the thread after it has been inserted through both sides of the bag, then knot the thread and then cut the thread so that the comple ted string will slip away from the kiiotter to enable the bag with the pair of strings to be stripped from the holding ing and lowering of the lifting member so that the thread will be presented to the edge of the cutting blade and severed. The lifting element is operated through the medium of an inverted V'shaped trip member, the arms of which are indicated by the reference characters 241 and 242. The inverted V- shaped trip member is pivoted at its upper end to the carrier 243 which is positioned at one side of the shifting support for the needles and is carried by the reciprocatory plate 91. The carrier 243 is secured to the plate 91 by the holdfast device 244 which also acts as a means for securing the element 143 to said plate 91, the element 143 being mounted upon the inturned end of the carrier 243. The inverted V- shaped trip member when positioned over the lifting element so that the arms of said trip member will engage the lug 239 and shoulder 240 will cause the elevating and lowering of the lifting element. The carrier 243 is shifted transversely of the machine with the plate 91. When the plate 91 is shifted so that the needle will be in a position to make its first insertion of the thread in the bag, the trip member will be shifted from over the lifting element; but when the plate 91 is shifted so that the needle will be in a position to make its second insertion of the thread in the bag, the inverted V-shaped member will be arranged over the lifting element and the lug 239 will be in the path of the trip member as the carrier 243 moves forward and on the return of the carrier 243, the shoulder 240 will be in the path of the member 242. As the plate 91 moves forward, carrying the element 243 therewith, the arm 241 will ride up the inclined face of the lug 239 and will have no action at all upon the lifting element, but as the carrier 243 moves back with the plate 91, the end of the arm 241 will engage the crotch formed by the junction of the inclined lug 239 with the longitudinally-extending portion 235 and cause the lifting element to lower so that the hook 233 will be in a position to grasp the thread when the lifting element is elevated. As the carrier moves backwardly, the action of the end of the arm 241 at the crotch formed at the junction of the lug 239 of the longitudinally-extending portion 235 will tend to swing the trip member on its pivot and movethe arm 242 into engagement with the shoulder 240 which will cause an elevation of the lifting member, carrying the thread therewith and presenting the thread to the cutting blade, causing thereby the severing of the thread.

The strippers; Figs. 1, 4, 5 and,46: The function of the strippers is to remove the bag from the holding arms after the two strings have been completed. The strippers work in conjunction with the combined bag-turner and stretcher, which will be hereinafter referred to. The strippers consist of a pair of verticallyextending arms 244 and 245 having their upper or free ends formed in a hook-like manner, as at 246, and their lower ends bent inwardly, as at 247 and fixed to pivoted coupling pieces 248 which are each provided on end thereof will engage over the top edge of the bag to enable the arms 244, 245 when lowered to strip the bag off of the holding arms. The arms 244, 245 are swung towards each other after they are inserted up to a position between a gripper and a holding arm. If swung towards each other before their entrance into the grippers and holding arms. it would be evident that their vertical movement would be impeded by the bag and that the hooked end 246 would be liable to engage the bag and damage it. The arms 244, 245 are vertically moved and swung towards and away from each other by the vertical movement and actuationof the coupling pieces 248. The elements for carrying out such operation will now be described: The coupling pieces 248 are pivotedto a verticallymovable carriage 250, openings 251 being provided in the carriage 250 through which extend the pivots 252 of the coupling pieces. The coupling pieces are arranged against the rear face of the carriage 250 and the pins 249 of the. coupling pieces 248 are adapted to extend through oval-shaped slots 253 formed in the carriage 250 at a point below the openings 251. The carriage 250 at its top and bottom is provided with angularly-extending ends 254 and 255, each of which is provided with a pair of rectangular-shaped openings 256 and apair of circular openings 257. The circular openings'257 permit of the mounting of the carriage upon a pair of guide-rods 258 which are suspended from v the plate 2, one at each side of the opening 3, the said rods 258 being secured to the plate 2, as at 259 and are connected at their lower ends to the Y-shaped hangers 16, 19 by the cross piece 260. The rods 258 near the lower ends thereof are provided with shifting collars 261 and near the upper end thereof are provided with shifting collars 262. The carriage 250 is vertically moved through the medium of an actuating rod 263 which is connected at its lower end in one end of a sectional rocking lever 264 and at its upper end is bifurcated, as at 265 so as to straddle a cross-piece 266 forming a part of the carriage 250. The bifurcated end 265 of the actuating rod 263 is pivotally connected to the cross-piece 266. Extending through the opening 256 of the carrier is a pair of actuating members 267, each of which, near its lower end, is provided with an angularly-shaped slot 268, and through the slots 268 extends the pins 249. The inner face of each of the actuating members is provided with a flat spring 269 so as to cause a frictional engagement between the actuating member and the front face of the carriage 250. The collars 262 are positioned in the path of the upper end of the actuating members 267 and the collars 261 are positioned in the path of the lower end of the actuating members 267. By such an arrangement when the carriage 250 moves upwardly, the members 267 abut against the collars 262; consequently the said members 267 are lowered, and owing to the action of the walls of the slots 268 against the pins 249, the arms 244, 245 will be caused to swing at their upper ends towards each other. When the carriage 250 moves downwardly, the arms 267 engage the collars 261, and the action of the walls of the slots 268 against the pins 249 will cause the lower ends of the arms 244, 245 to swing inwardly and the upper ends outwardly. The swinging inwardly of the upper ends of the arms 244, 245 is not had until the hooked ends 246 of the said arms are in a position 

